Light fixture for vehicles

ABSTRACT

A fixture for mounting to a vehicle. A loop of a lead is pushed through an access opening, past a connector which has a flexible leg and a cutting edge at the end of the leg. When the lead loop is pulled back, the cutting edge pierces the lead insulation and makes electrical contact with the wire within the lead. The fixture may be surface mounted to an external vehicle surface and may mount a light bulb.

' Unite States Patent 1 1 Freeman [54] LIGHT FIXTURE FOR VEHICLES [75]inventor: Jerry H. Freeman, Mount Prospect,

{73] Assignee: Reflect-o-Lite Manufacturing Company, Chicago, 111.

22 Filed: Apr. 2, 1973 1 2| App1.No.:346,981

[521 U.S. C1. 240/57, 240/7.1 R, 240/73 R,

339/97 L [51] Int. Cl. F2lv 21/00, H01r 7/00 158] Field of Search240/7.1 R, 8.2, 8.22, 8.3,

240/52, 57.73 R, 1'53; 339/95 R, 95 D, 95-.T, 96, 97 R, 97 1;, 97- P,54, 277, 99 R, 99 L [56] References Cited I I UNITED STATES PATENTS2,816,193 12/1957 Pine 339/97 R X 3,005,177 10/1961 Wieckmann.. 339/973,018,461 1/1962 Smith 339/95 D 3,114,182 12/1963 Trautner et a1...240/82 3.125.392 v3/1964 Winter 339/95 D 3,145,933 8/1964 Dickson 240/82[451 May 28, 1974 6/1965 Knapp et a1.

3,187,172 .1 240/82 3,196,266 7/1965 Grosser..... 240/82 3,201,7458/1965 Williams 339/99 R 3,288,914 11/1966 Fuller et al.... 339/97 R X3,454,757 7/1969 Bell 240/82 3,484,600 12/1969 Fradette 240/83 X3,581,080 5/1971 Magi 240/82 3,649,955 3/1972 Schmidt et a1. 339/99 L3,742,429 6/1973 Morrison 339/97 L Primary Examiner-Joseph F. Peters,Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Dressler, Goldsmith Clement & Gordon, Ltd.

' [57] ABSTRACT A fixture for mounting to a vehicle. A loop of a lead ispushed through an access opening, past a connector which has a flexibleleg and a cutting edge at the end of the leg/When the lead loop ispulled back, the cutting edge pierces the lead insulation and makeselectrical contact with the wire within the lead. The fixture may besurface mounted to an external vehicle surface and may mount a lightbulb.

g 6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures LIGHT FIXTURE FOR VEIHCLES BAC KG ROUNDMany vehicles such as, for example, trailers, mobile homes, and othervehicles utilize light fixtures which are installed on the externalsurface thereof. Any way of cutting the assembly costs and time, whileconcurrently maintaining or improving the functional aspects of thefixture would of course be highly desirable.

In typical existing fixtures, the wire leads are stripped, insertedthrough the unit and thereafter appropriately connected to contacts,either by soldering or other well known expedients, e.g., winding aroundscrews.

Any one who has done wiring can appreciate the difficulty of suchassembly steps on a production basis both in terms of productionefficiency and reliable satisfactory electrical connections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thereis provided a relatively simple light fixture easily affixed to avehicle and which can be wired-safely, rapidly and reliably on aproduction basis.

The fixture in accordance with the present invention may be a reflectorbase member and may include a housing or base plate adapted to beattached to a vehicle such as to the external surfaces of trailers orrecreational vehicles and which incorporates an integrally formedbushing or grommet extending through the surface or skin of the vehicleto define a lead access opening adapted to have passed therethrough theelectrical wiring to be connected to the fixture.

The fixture of the present invention is adapted to accommodate both theground and hot leads, can accommodate wiring of varying sizes and yetefficiently and simply permits the desired electrical connection to beeffected.

- In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, electricalconnection is provided by a spring-like or resilient connector whichintersects or at least partially overlies the lead access opening in thefixture housing through which the wires or leads pass, there being aconnector for each wire. The edge of each connector, overlying theaccess opening, defines means to sever the insulation of a lead passedtherethrough and to make contact with the electrically conductive wirecontained within the insulating sheet.

Each connector is affixed to the housing and has a portion remote fromits wire connecting end adapted to make contact with a light bulb, oneconnector maintaining contact with and retaining the ground side of thebulb and the other connector making contact with the hot side or centercontact of the bulb.

More specifically, the fixture of the presentinvention incorporatesinsulative housing or base plate which in a typical embodiment isgenerally circular in plan view having at least one major access openingdefined by an integrally formed bushing or grommet extending rearwardlytherefrom. The bushing extends out the back of the base plate and isadapted to pass through a hole cut in the surface to which the baseplate is to be mounted. The base plate incorporates suitable means toallow attachment thereof to the surface.

At the internal reaches of the access opening, the base plateincorporates an insulating partition which may be formed integrallytherewith to divide the access opening into two halves or sections eachof which is adapted to receive one of the electrical leads. Thepartition in conjunction with the bushing defines an access opening foreach lead of varying area to allow for insertion therein of differentsize electrical leads.

Overlying a portion of each of the lead apertures is a serrated ortoothed end of .a resilient electrical connector which is affixed to thebase plateof the fixture at a point spaced from the serrated endthereof. The.

base plate may have other suitable positioning members to properlyorient each of the resilient connectors to facilitate their attachmentand assembly to the base plate.

One connector incorporates a suitable bulb clip or socket adapted toreceive and retain a light bulb therein and to make electrical contactwith the grounded side thereof. The other connector is adapted to makecontact with the center contact of the light bulb in order to completethe electrical circuit through the bulb.

In operation, each lead iselectrically attached. to the connector byinserting the lead through the appropriate lead access opening andpushing it past the serrated end of the resilient connector causingtheend to flex in the direction of movement of the wire being inserted.The lead is then pulled back slightly causing the connector to be forcedagainst a surface of the base plate and to cut through and pierce theinsulation and to make contact with the electrical wire.

Thus, the fixture of the present invention permits reliable, simple,rapid insertion and connection of the electrical leads thereto insuringproper electrical connections, all without utilization of screws orother attachment devices.

Numerous other advantages and features of the present invention willbecome'readily apparent from the following detailed description of theinvention and of one embodiment thereof, from the claims and from theaccompanying drawings in which each and every detail shown is fully andcompletely disclosed as a part of this specification, in which likenumerals refer to like parts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a diagrammatic view of asurface to which the fixture is to be mounted showing in dotted line thegeneral positioning of the perimeter of the base plate thereon;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the front of the base plate;

FIG. 3 is a plan view similar to FIG. 2 showing the resilientconnectors;

FIG. 4 is a back view of the base plate of a fixture of DESCRIPTION OFSPECIFIC EMBODIMENT While this invention is susceptible of embodiment inmany different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein bedescribed in detail one specific embodiment, with the understanding thatthe-present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the embodiment illustrated.

The fixture of the present invention is adapted to be easily secured asto the exterior surface of a mobile home, trailer or other vehicle withminimal preparation of the vehicle for the fixture. As seen in FIG. 1, asurface to which the fixture is to be attached is prepared simply bycutting or punching a suitable hole 12 therein through which a portionof the fixture base may be inserted. The fixture itself includes a baseplate 14 which is generally circular in plan view and includes agenerally planar central portion 16 and a peripheral rib 18 formedperpendicularly to the central portion 16. The peripheral rib 18includes a rearwardly extending outwardly offset spacer 20 adapted toengage the surface 10 on which the fixture is mounted. Caulking materialmay desirably be positioned between the surface 10 and the back ofcentral portion 16 to provide a water-tight seal. I

' The planar central portion 16 is formed with an integral bushing 22adapted to pass through the hole 12 cut out in the mounting surface 10.The bushing 22 defines a lead receiving aperture or access-opening 24.The lead access opening is divided in half by an integrally formedinsulating partition which may take the form of a rib 26 as seen in thedrawing. The insulating partition rib 26 is stepped at 28 or otherwiseconfigured to vary the width of each lead access opening 24a, 24b,thereby accommodating different sizes and thicknesses of leads withinsingle openings.

The base plate 14 includes suitable means such as a pair of holes 30, 31for accommodating fastening means, such as screws (not shown) forattaching the fixture to the metal surface 10. Hole 31 is positioned toconfront one of the connectors to ground that'connector to surface 10when screwed thereto; hole is remote from the connectors, thereby toguarantee proper grounding of the fixture and to assure proper polarity.The planar central portion 16 also includes connector positioning meansin the form of integrally formed posts 32, 34 and rib 36 adjacent to andalong one edge of the access opening 24. v

A pair of connectors 38, 40 are adapted to be positioned within thecentral portion 16 for making electrical connection to the leads 42, 44inserted through the access opening 24.

The hot lead connector 38, shown in FIG. 7, includes a lead connectingleg 46 having a first aperture 48 therein adapted to fit over thepositioning post 32 and a second aperture 50 adapted to receive afastener such as a rivet or eyelet 51 for securing the connector 38 tothe base plate 14. The leg 46 of the connector 38 terminates at one endin a pair of fingers 52, 54 formed by a slot 56 opening in enlargement56A extending along the center line of the leg 46, thereby allowing eachof the fingers 52, 54 to flex independently of the other to accommodatedifferent size leads. Flexing is enhanced by V-notches 57 whichcooperate to provide a hinge line thereacross. When in position, as seenin FIG. 3, the ends of the fingers 52, 54 which are formed withinsulation cutting teeth or serrations 58, overlie a portion, such asabout one-half of the access opening 24a to one side of the partitionrib 26. The combination of the staggered or stepped partition ribportion and the pairs of fingers enables the fixture efficiently andeffectively to make contact with leads of different lead thicknesseswith a single fixture.

The opposite end 60 of the connector 38 is formed at a 90 angle andextends up from the surface of the base plate 14 to define a contactadapted to engage the central contact 62 'of a bulb 64 that is retainedin position by the ground connector 40, shown in FIG. 8.

The ground connector 40 is a generally U-shaped member, having a leadengaging leg 66 generally similarly'configured to the leg 46 of the hotlead connector 38. Thus the leg 66 of connector 40 includes an aperture68 adapted to fit over the positioning post 34. The connector leg 66terminates in a pair of fingers 72, 74 separated by an axial slot 76(opening in an enlargement 76A) which permits each of the fingers 72, 74to flex independently and to receive the lead inserted into the otherhalf 24b of the lead access opening 24. Flexing is enhanced by V-notches77. The ends of the fingers 72, 74 are also serrated or formed withteeth 78.

The other leg 80 of the U-shaped connector 40 has an aperture 81 toreceive a rivet or eyelet 53 for affixing it to the base-plate andterminates at ijts free end in a bulb receiving clip 82 to receive theshank 84 of the light bulb 64 and to make electrical contact therewith,as seen in FIG. 6. When the light bulb 64 is positioned in the bulb clip82, the center contact 62 of the bulb 64 engages the bulb contact 60 ofthe hot lead connector 38 to complete the electrical circuit through thebulb.

The leads 42, 44 are connected to each of the connectors 38, 40 simplyby inserting each lead 42, 44 through the appropriate half 24a, 24b ofthe access opening 24 and pushing each lead 42, 44 past the respectiveteeth 58, 78 of the fingers 52, 54 and 72, 74. As a lead 42, 44 ispushed past the end of its connector 38, 40, one or both of thefingersflex, allowing the lead to pass. When a sufficient amount of the leadhas been inserted and forced past the connector, it is pulled backslightly, pulling the fingers back toward and against the surface of thecentral portion 16 and causing the teeth to cut through the leadinsulation and to make electrical contact with the wires within theinsulated lead, simultaneously pinning the lead against the partitionrib 26. Rib 26 is radiused at 26A, thereby to permit the leads 42, 44easily to be pulled back and to minimize resistance to the pulling backinto electrical contact with the connector teeth. The electricalconnection is thus secured and the connector is restrained from flexinginto the access opening by the planar surface of the base centralportion 16. Solid and secure electrical connection is thereby effected.

Preferably leads 42, 44 are inserted in looped form. This facilitatesinsertion and permits using wire runs which are continuous through twoor more stations in the vehicle, saving time and labor in providing theelectrical connection.

The peripheral rib 18 of the base plate 14 incorporates a bead to snapmount a typical cover (not shown) which protects the interior of thefixture and permits the light, when illuminated, to be seentherethrough.

A condensate escape passage 91 is provided by a narrow break in the bead90 and by a slight relief in the main body of the rib 18 immediatelybelow the break in the bead. Condensate will follow the direction ofarrows A as shown inFIG. 5 in escaping through passage Thus, there hasbeen disclosed a fixture which requires minimal preparation of a surfaceto which it may be attached, which permits ready assembly of the fixtureitself and which permits rapid, simple and reliable connection of leadsto fixture connectors, thereby to complete an electrical circuit. Suchfixtures are particularly useful for mounting light bulbs to externalvehicle surfaces, although it will be apparent that they are adapted toother applications as well.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that variations andmodifications may be effected without departing from the true spirit andscope of the invention; lt is, of course, intended to cover by theappended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of theclaims.

l. A fixture for lights adapted to 'be' mounted on a surfacecomprisin'gan electrically insulative base member defining an access openingtherethrough, a partilion member dividing said access opening, saidpartition member being configured to vary the width of each portion ofsaid access opening to accommodate leads of varying diameter, a pair ofelectrical connectors, each having a free end portion overlying aseparate portion of said access opening on opposite sides of saidpartition member and affixed to said base member at a point spaced fromsaid free end, said free end defining cutting means adapted to piercethe insulation of a lead pulled back in said access opening, said freeends flexing away from said base in response to the insertion of a leadthrough said portion of said access opening from the rear thereof andpiercing the insulation of said lead in response to said lead beingpulled in said portion of said access opening to make electrical contactwith the wire therein.

2. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said connectors isgenerally U-shaped, said free end being formed at the end of one leg ofsaid U-shaped connector, the other end of said U-shaped connectordefining a light bulb retaining electrical contact, the other of saidconnectors defining contact means adapted to engage the other contact ofa bulb retained by said one connector.

3. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member includesfirst and second positioning members formed integrally therewith andengaging the connectors to define the position of said connectorsaffixed 4. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base memberincludes a generally annular bushing formed integrally therewith andextending rearwardly from the back thereof, said bushing defining saidaccess opening, and wherein said partition member has a steppedconfiguration to define a pair of access openings on either sidethereof, each of said pair of access openings having a first portion andaisecond portion, one of said portions being wider than the othersthereby to accommodate leads of different thicknesses.

5. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein one of said connectors isagenerally U-shaped planar electrically conductive member having afirstleg thereof terminating in a pair of independently flexiblefingers, the ends of each of said fingers defining insulation cuttingmeans overlying said access opening, and having a second leg including abulb receiving clip adapted to retain a bulb therein in electricalcontact therewith, each of said connectors defining an aperture adaptedto fit over a post in saidbase member for properly positioning saidconnectorand a secondaperture for receiving an attachment device foraffixing said connector to said base member. t

6. A method for connecting an insulated electrical lead to a fixture ofthe type having a base member, an access opening formed in said basemember, a partition member dividing said access opening into twoportions, electrical connectors attached to said base member, each saidconnector-having at least one free piercing end overlying a portion ofthe access opening, with said free end being capable of being flexed,including the steps of forming a loop in said lead, inserting said loopinto said access opening, forcing said lead loop past said free end ofone of said connectors to effect flexing thereof, pulling said lead loopback slightly to pull said flexed free end of said connector toward itsoriginal unflexed position and to forcesaid lead loop against said andsaid lead.

1. A fixture for lights adapted to be mounted on a surface comprising anelectrically insulative base member defining an access openingtherethrough, a partition member dividing said access opening, saidpartition member being configured to vary the width of each portion ofsaid access opening to accommodate leads of varying diameter, a pair ofelectriCal connectors, each having a free end portion overlying aseparate portion of said access opening on opposite sides of saidpartition member and affixed to said base member at a point spaced fromsaid free end, said free end defining cutting means adapted to piercethe insulation of a lead pulled back in said access opening, said freeends flexing away from said base in response to the insertion of a leadthrough said portion of said access opening from the rear thereof andpiercing the insulation of said lead in response to said lead beingpulled in said portion of said access opening to make electrical contactwith the wire therein.
 2. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein one ofsaid connectors is generally U-shaped, said free end being formed at theend of one leg of said U-shaped connector, the other end of saidU-shaped connector defining a light bulb retaining electrical contact,the other of said connectors defining contact means adapted to engagethe other contact of a bulb retained by said one connector.
 3. A fixtureas claimed in claim 1 wherein said base member includes first and secondpositioning members formed integrally therewith and engaging theconnectors to define the position of said connectors affixed thereto,said first positioning members passing through each of said connectors,and said second positioning member engaging one edge of each of saidconnectors.
 4. A fixture as claimed in claim 1 wherein said base memberincludes a generally annular bushing formed integrally therewith andextending rearwardly from the back thereof, said bushing defining saidaccess opening, and wherein said partition member has a steppedconfiguration to define a pair of access openings on either sidethereof, each of said pair of access openings having a first portion anda second portion, one of said portions being wider than the othersthereby to accommodate leads of different thicknesses.
 5. A fixture asclaimed in claim 1 wherein one of said connectors is a generallyU-shaped planar electrically conductive member having a first legthereof terminating in a pair of independently flexible fingers, theends of each of said fingers defining insulation cutting means overlyingsaid access opening, and having a second leg including a bulb receivingclip adapted to retain a bulb therein in electrical contact therewith,each of said connectors defining an aperture adapted to fit over a postin said base member for properly positioning said connector and a secondaperture for receiving an attachment device for affixing said connectorto said base member.
 6. A method for connecting an insulated electricallead to a fixture of the type having a base member, an access openingformed in said base member, a partition member dividing said accessopening into two portions, electrical connectors attached to said basemember, each said connector having at least one free piercing endoverlying a portion of the access opening, with said free end beingcapable of being flexed, including the steps of forming a loop in saidlead, inserting said loop into said access opening, forcing said leadloop past said free end of one of said connectors to effect flexingthereof, pulling said lead loop back slightly to pull said flexed freeend of said connector toward its original unflexed position and to forcesaid lead loop against said partition member and thereby to cause saidfree end to pierce the insulation of said lead to effect electricalcontact between said free end of said one connector and said lead.